Donald Byrd
A New Perspective

Donald Byrd was always trying to push the boundaries of the Blue Note sound and ‘A New Perspective’ is a clear illustration. In the seventies, Byrd would embrace Jazz Funk and with his first effort in this style produced the biggest selling album in Blue Note’s catalogue up to that point –‘Black Byrd’. Back in January 1963 when ‘A New Perspective’ was recorded, Donald Byrd was still a mainstream Blue Note artist. His rich soulful trumpet caresses notes using space in much the same way as Miles Davis and allows the music space to breathe. On ‘Elijah’ – a tribute to his father – Byrd’s solo is breathtakingly beautiful. Duke Pearson’s arrangements of the septet and the eight piece mixed sex Gospel choir is masterful. Wordless, the choir’s performance emphasizes and underscores the ensemble and solo work. ‘Beast Of Burden’ is a slow blues, whilst Pearson’s ‘Cristo Redentor’ is a classic. On ‘The Black Disciple’, Donald Byrd infuses a more African theme that entwines with the Pentecostal/ spiritual feel wonderfully. Hank Mobley and Kenny Burrell provide complimentary solo support to Byrd, and Herbie Hancock’s contribution is pure genius. Hancock combines the Soul/ Gospel rhythms with great Jazz solos. ‘A New Perspective’ is one of Donald Byrd’s finest pieces of work.